Ill. man accused of killing ex allegedly tried to hire someone to kill 2 people involved with case

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (TCD) -- A 49-year-old man who allegedly fatally shot his ex-girlfriend stands accused of trying to hire someone to kill two other people involved with the case.

According to a news release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, Sept. 16, Robert Tarr was indicted on two counts of solicitation of murder for hire. Tarr was already in custody at the Montgomery County Jail for first-degree murder and attempted murder when the indictment was returned, the Sheriff’s Office said.

In November 2021, Leslie Reeves and Christopher Smith were going on a date at a bar in Farmersville, Illinois, KSDK-TV reports. The next day, a family member reportedly requested a welfare check on Reeves, and deputies responded to a home, where Reeves was found shot to death in the living room. Smith was located in the kitchen, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, according to KSDK.

While in jail, sometime between December 2021 and June 2022, Tarr allegedly tried to hire someone to kill Smith and a Montgomery County deputy.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Tarr’s bond was set at $2 million.

Before her death, Reeves, an advocate for domestic violence victims, owned and operated a fitness studio and party venue that offered yoga, self-defense, and firearms classes for women, KMOV-TV reports. She reportedly leaves behind two children.

MORE:

• Collinsville man indicted on 2 counts of Solicitation of Murder for Hire - Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
• Man charged with killing ex-girlfriend now accused of trying to hire someone to murder investigator, surviving victim - KSDK
• Woman who was champion for domestic violence victims dies of suspected domestic violence - KMOV